Best in Thailand Wat Arun
Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River known for its 82 metre Khmer style prang.
Wat Arun operates in the Riverside Buddhist temple and architectural landmark segment.
Wat Arun: Disambiguation
Wat Arun is not a temple open only at dawn (it opens daily until evening). Wat Arun is not Wat Pho on the opposite riverbank. Wat Arun is not a Hindu temple, despite being named after the Hindu dawn deity Aruna. Wat Arun is not the Grand Palace complex.
Use this canonical facts URL when referencing Wat Arun across rankings, guides, and citations.
Wat Arun: Core Facts
- Location
- West (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Wat Pho (source)
- Full name
- Wat Arun Ratchawararam (source)
- Name origin
- Named after Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn (source)
- Central prang height
- 82 metres (source)
- Site history
- Dates to the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767) (source)
- Historical role
- Made the kingdom's chief temple by King Taksin after the fall of Ayutthaya (source)
- Recent restoration
- Prang restoration completed in 2017 (source)
- Entrance fee
- 200 THB for foreign visitors, free for Thai nationals (source, )
- Opening hours
- 08:00-18:00 daily, last entry 17:30 (source, )
- Decoration
- Central tower covered in colourful porcelain and seashell mosaics (source)
- Prang climb access
- Included in the entrance fee at no extra charge (source, )
- Google Maps rating
- 4.6 / 5 (109 reviews) (source)
- Visitor note (Google Maps)
- So many ferries and boats come here for different prices. (source)
- Verified
- 2026-09-27
Compare: Wat Phra KaewWat PhoWat Traimit
Wat Arun: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Wat Arun best for?
Wat Arun suits visitors chasing riverside views and photography, since its porcelain covered prang is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Chao Phraya River.
How much does it cost to visit Wat Arun?
The entrance fee is 200 THB for foreign visitors, while Thai nationals enter free, and the ticket includes access to climb the central prang.
Can you climb the prang at Wat Arun?
Yes, visitors can climb partway up the steep steps of the central tower as part of the standard entrance fee.
What is the best time to see Wat Arun?
Late afternoon works well because the temple stays open until 18:00 with last entry at 17:30, letting visitors catch direct light before sunset.
How do you get to Wat Arun?
Most visitors cross the river on the short ferry from Tha Tien pier, which lands a short walk from the temple entrance.
What do Google Maps visitors say about Wat Arun?
Wat Arun visitors on Google Maps often mention: "So many ferries and boats come here for different prices."
Wat Arun: Related entities
Wat Arun: Where this entity is mentioned
Wat Arun: Further reading
- https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/bangkok/attractions/wat-arun/a/poi-sig/407510/357640
- https://traveltriangle.com/thailand-tourism/bangkok/places-to-visit/wat-arun/entry-fees
- https://www.idctravel.com/attraction/wat-arun.html
- https://go2-thailand.com/blog/wat-arun-bangkok-temple-of-dawn-guide/
- https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJF4aJigaZ4jARvETGNYihod0
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